Chapter 341
Finale
Encountering a normal person, Jiang Chen was very excited.
He had originally planned to go out for a stroll to see if he could earn some system rewards, but he hadn’t expected the reward to come to him on its own.
After his shout, he leaped forward and kicked Lu Lin in the face.
After a scream, Lu Lin flew several zhang away.
Seeing that the system reward still hadn’t appeared, Jiang Chen stepped forward, grabbed Lu Lin by the collar, and started slapping him.
Throughout, Lu Lin kept screaming in pain.
Finally…
【Host’s actions conform to the villain’s character setting, reward: Complete ‘Memory Reflecting Mirror’】
(TLN: The item in the Old Ancestor’s hand is only a fragment, not complete.)Memory Reflecting Mirror? What is this thing?
Jiang Chen was somewhat confused.
He took the Memory Reflecting Mirror out of his spirit ring, but before he could take a closer look, Jiuyan Old Ancestor appeared beside him accompanied by a gentle breeze.
“Jiang Chen, this item is fated to be mine,” Jiuyan Old Ancestor said with gleaming eyes.
“Fated to you?” Jiang Chen curled his lip, clearly disbelieving.
This was his system reward. What did it have to do with Jiuyan Old Ancestor?
Moreover, even if it truly was fated for Jiuyan Old Ancestor, would he really expect him to give it away?
Although Jiuyan Old Ancestor had treated him well, as a villain, his character surely wouldn’t allow him to do such a good deed!
But before he could refuse, a profound and mysterious aura suddenly emerged from Jiuyan Old Ancestor.
The aura spread continuously, enveloping the surroundings.
Caught in this aura, it was as if time stood still.
Jiang Chen was trapped in a prison of heaven and earth and found himself unable to move an inch.
And when that sensation vanished, Jiang Chen discovered that both Jiuyan Old Ancestor and the ‘Memory Reflecting Mirror’ he had just been holding were nowhere to be seen.
“That damn old man actually stole my reward!” Jiang Chen was furious.
But what could his anger do?
With his current level of cultivation, he was nowhere near capable of troubling Jiuyan Old Ancestor.
He could only keep this incident in mind and find a way to get even in the future.
After glancing at Lu Lin, whom he had knocked unconscious, Jiang Chen felt this person seemed familiar.
As if he had seen him somewhere before?
But he couldn’t recall at the moment…
……
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.
Jiang Chen had left the sect and was wandering around a hundred li outside the sect.
Suddenly, the sky dimmed, the sun above sank, and a silver curtain large enough to cover the entire sky slowly emerged in the upper, middle, and lower domain and under the watchful eyes of many cultivators.
The moment the silver screen appeared, all cultivators were drawn to it.
Jiang Chen was no exception.
He clicked his tongue in wonder.
He guessed that this must be the work of some rare magical treasure.
After looking at the giant screen overhead, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a nostalgic smile.
He felt that at this moment, he was just like an audience member in a movie theater before his transmigration, waiting for the film to start…
But soon, Jiang Chen couldn’t smile anymore.
Because when the silver screen lit up, the images that appeared were of the Jiuyan Sect!
And he had become the main character of this ‘movie’, with his nine lifetimes of memories being displayed!
“F*ck!”
Jiang Chen was dumbfounded, completely unable to understand what was happening.
……
In the blink of an eye, it was thirty years later.
In a secret forest within the Upper Domain, Jiang Chen sat cross-legged in the air, his eyes slightly closed.
Many significant events had occurred over these thirty years.
Firstly, after his nine lifetimes of memories were exposed, nearly sixty percent of the cultivators in the upper, middle, and lower domain went mad, leading to the cancellation of the Central Domain’s Grand Sect Competition.
Next was the Jiang family and the Imperial Dynasty.
The Jiang family escaped the fate of annihilation.
It was almost funny.
The Jiang family had been destroyed in nine lifetimes, all because the heavens wanted to favor Lin Feng, the Son of Destiny.
But in this lifetime, Lin Feng also saw the nine cycles of reincarnation and was shocked by his own actions in his previous nine lives.
Perhaps out of guilt, or perhaps wanting to repay Jiang Chen for saving his life in this lifetime, Lin Feng braved countless dangers and actually found a pill that could extend one’s lifespan, which he gave to the Jiang family’s Old Ancestor.
With the Old Ancestor’s life extended, the Jiang family was assured not to repeat the fate of being destroyed by the Imperial Dynasty as in the previous nine lifetimes.
Furthermore, the Imperial Dynasty of this lifetime had been destroyed…
Not by Jiang Chen, but at the hands of the Imperial Dynasty’s Third Princess and the Holy Maiden of the Primordial Holy Land.
These two were the female leads in the original story.
After watching the nine cycles of reincarnation, both of them fell into madness.
The Third Princess of the Imperial Dynasty began to incite rebellion within the Imperial Dynasty’s forces, while the Holy Maiden allied with the other three holy lands to take advantage of the internal strife within the Imperial Dynasty and break through the imperial capital.
From beginning to end, Jiang Chen was like a spectator.
The only thing that gave him satisfaction was that the fat and bloated Empress of the Imperial Dynasty, after escaping the capital, was captured by Jiuyan Old Ancestor and brought before him.
Jiang Chen personally took the Empress’s life, ensuring her death was extremely miserable.
But even after avenging this great enmity, Jiang Chen did not feel relieved.
He had learned that the madness of his master, junior brother, and junior sister was all because they had seen the nine cycles of reincarnation.
He didn’t know what to feel about it.
Xiao Hongyi and the others were all begging for forgiveness.
But he just couldn’t say the word “I forgive you”.
Because to forgive would mean to let go, and he wouldn’t be able to ascend with unwavering determination.
Although the plot of this life has crumbled into pieces, Jiang Chen still clings to the hope of ascension.
After all, this world has been full of malice towards him, and he has no desire to linger.
It is precisely for this reason that for over thirty years, Jiang Chen has been avoiding Xiao Hongyi and others, following Lin Feng by using the ‘Son of Destiny Locator Talisman.’
And today is the day set in the original story for him to meet his end.
Like the previous nine lives, he has issued a challenge to Lin Feng.
He had been worried that Lin Feng, whose temperament had greatly changed, would not honor this final battle.
Unexpectedly, Lin Feng arrived early and is now right below!
Jiang Chen had already decided that even if he had to rush towards Lin Feng’s blade, he must face his own end!
But… after glancing below, his mouth twitched.
“Lin Feng! The vengeance for killing my disciple over nine lifetimes shall be avenged today!”
“Lin Feng! Did you really dare to show up today? Over the years, your fortune has been greatly reduced, you are now exhausted of luck and abandoned by fate! Today, you will meet your end!”
“Knowing the cause and effect of the previous nine lives, you still seek Eldest Senior Brother’s life?”
“In this life, you’ll have to step over my dead body first if you want to kill Eldest Senior Brother!”
“…”
Xiao Hongyi, Jiang Lianyue, Qingning, and others were beating up Lin Feng.
Mu Kui and Lin Mubai were on guard on both sides.
Nangong Jiuxi stood behind Jiang Chen, using all her strength to hold onto Jiang Chen while pleading with her mouth, “Don’t go…”
“So, how should I die?” Jiang Chen was in despair!
He cursed the system’s eighteen generations of ancestors in his heart.
It was this dog system that issued the task of ‘dying at Lin Feng’s hands’ to ascend, yet it backstabbed him by exposing his memories of nine lives to everyone!
It’s just too treacherous!
【In the past, you had no choice, but in this life, you do】
【Die by Lin Feng’s hand and ascend on the spot】
【Kill Lin Feng and stay in this world】
【Please make your choice…】
The system’s text suddenly appeared.
“In this situation, how do you expect me to die at Lin Feng’s hands?” Jiang Chen roared in his heart.
【As long as the host makes a choice, the system will help you achieve your goal】
“…Can I come back after ascending?” Jiang Chen asked.
【No】
“…”
Jiang Chen fell silent.
Not being able to return meant that he could not take Xiao Hongyi and the others with him, and he would have to leave alone.
If this life were like the previous nine, he would definitely choose ‘ascension’.
But… after glancing at Nangong Jiuxi beside him, as well as Master, Junior Brothers, and Junior Sisters below.
He truly felt a bit reluctant.
There was also the Jiang family, his parents, and relatives, whom he also remembered fondly.
“Can you let others know that I’ve ascended?” Jiang Chen asked again.
【Yes, the system will arrange the most dazzling way to ascend, blinding everyone else’s eyes.】
“…I choose to ascend.”
In the end, Jiang Chen made his decision.
He never truly belonged to this world.
Even with his attachments, they could not outweigh the pain of nine lifetimes of reincarnation and a thousand years of misunderstanding.
Moreover, knowing that he did not truly die but ascended, others could still live well.
After he made his decision, time suddenly froze, and everyone except Jiang Chen was stunned in place.
After breaking free from Nangong Jiuxi’s grasp, Jiang Chen floated down from above, slowly approaching his Junior Brothers.
“Master, your disciple is leaving.” He gently stroked Xiao Hongyi’s cheek.
“Mu Bai, stop being a savage, I still prefer the elegant gentleman you once were.” He patted Lin Mubai’s shoulder.
“Qingning, Eldest Senior Brother is leaving, you must take good care of yourself from now on.” He ruffled Qingning’s head.
“Junior Sister Lianyue, if one day you can become the empress of this world, remember not to recklessly explode your imperial essence again.” He took advantage of Jiang Lianyue.
“Mu Kui, you are the reincarnation of a Martial Emperor, perhaps one day you can break through this world, Senior Brother believes in you.” He kicked Mu Kui.
Then, looking up at the figure in the sky, Jiang Chen finally said, “Jiuxi, in this life, I have ultimately failed you. The hundred-year marriage contract is not yet due, but I must depart first… from now on, take care…”
With those words, he slowly walked towards Lin Feng.
At this moment, Lin Feng was crouching on the ground, curling up his body and protecting his head.
Jiang Chen manipulated Lin Feng like a puppet, making him stand up, and then placed his own spiritual sword in Lin Feng’s hand.
Finally, after one last look at the people around him and the world that had gone through nine cycles of reincarnation over a thousand years, he charged toward the spiritual sword and let the sword’s tip pierce through his own heart…
As his consciousness blurred, he seemed to hear the cries of Xiao Hongyi and the others and the shock in Lin Feng’s voice.
The scene was chaotic, he felt himself being held by someone, countless tears falling from above, landing on his cheeks.
The tears were cold yet warm.
Perhaps it was because he was dying, various scenes like a revolving lantern flashed through his mind.
He seemed to return to his childhood, to the day he first entered his sect.
At the foot of the Ninth Peak, Xiao Hongyi led the young boy while looking up at the desolate Ninth Peak.
Crouching down, Xiao Hongyi pinched his face and said, “Jiang Chen, from now on you are my disciple, Xiao Hongyi’s disciple. No one can bully you.”
“Master, you’re so beautiful. Can I marry you when I grow up?” Jiang Chen, still a child, asked mischievously.
“You’re dreaming!”
He seemed to see himself in a future where he had chosen to stay.
It was still the Jiuyan Sect, still that Ninth Peak.
“Eldest Senior Brother, let’s not return until we’re drunk today,” Lin Mubai proposed, his demeanor scholarly and refined as he raised his cup.
“Eldest Senior Brother, you like me, right?” Qingning asked while batting her large eyes.
“Eldest Senior Brother, how about a friendly spar?” Mu Kui’s voice was still as booming and his figure as imposing as ever.
“Eldest Senior Brother, I want to be your maidservant for life…” Jiang Lianyue said as she massaged his shoulders.
He seemed to see his own wedding and the future that followed.
The bride under the phoenix crown and wedding robe was so captivating and soul-stirring under the flickering candlelight.
He also seemed to see and hear the scenes that weren’t meant for children…
Another hundred years later, he saw his children play at his knees, giggling as they playfully pulled his beard.
Xiao Hongyi and Nangong Jiuxi were scolding them sternly from the side.
Qingning had grown up, becoming even more enchanting.
Lin Mubai, having entered the Dao and become an Emperor through Literature, brought over several volumes of books.
Mu Kui had returned from other worlds, and although he too had become an emperor, he remained as simple and honest as ever…
Everyone gathered together with laughter filling the air.
These scenes were so heartwarming and touching.
“Perhaps, I made the wrong choice…” Jiang Chen murmured as his consciousness completely faded.
He died, his life extinguished.
Xiao Hongyi held him, crying out loud with Nangong Jiuxi, Jiang Lianyue, and Qingning.
Mu Kui roared to the heavens.
Lin Mubai swayed with tears streaming down his face.
And Lin Feng simply gave a pale smile.
He had long lost his destiny, and Old Man Tianji’s soul had been scattered to the winds by the Jiuyan Old Ancestor.
Over these decades, he had understood too much and experienced too much.
He had accepted Jiang Chen’s challenge and had come here wanting to die at Jiang Chen’s hand and pay off his debt and find release.
But who knew…
Unexpectedly, Jiang Chen still died by his hand.
“Haha.”
Lin Feng gave a pale smile and with a ‘bang’, chose to self-destruct.
No one paid attention to his death.
Xiao Hongyi and the others were still immersed in the pain of Jiang Chen’s death.
And just as Xiao Hongyi and Nangong Jiuxi were preparing to fulfill their promise and die for love…
“Boom!”
The earth shook, and the sound of a great bell resonated throughout the world.
The sky tore open, and golden light descended from the heavens, laying down a thousand steps as it illuminated the earth.
The golden light converged on Jiang Chen.
He suddenly awoke!
Before he could say or do anything, Jiang Chen’s body was sucked into the sky by a powerful force, breaking through the heavens.
In the end, only his words echoed through the heaven and earth:
“I don’t want to ascend! Dog system, I take it back!!”
Xiao Hongyi and the others were stunned by this scene.
Soon, everyone realized that Jiang Chen had not died.
He had ascended to another world!
……
In the blink of an eye, a hundred years passed.
After a hundred years, Xiao Hongyi and the others had reached the limits of this world in their cultivation.
Once again, they all gathered at the place where Jiang Chen had ascended.
Without any unnecessary words, Mu Kui punched through the heavens!
Once again, the sky was torn asunder, and the misty aura of another world and the fairyland pavilions could be faintly seen.
“Jiang Chen, we’re coming for you.”
Looking up at the sky, Xiao Hongyi murmured softly.
(The End)
***
TLN:
The author rushed the ending by using the complete version of the Memory Reflecting Mirror probably because the novel isn’t doing too well in the original site?
Ngl, I’m actually starting to enjoy how Jiuyan Old Ancestor made others feel his ‘pain’ by showing Jiang Chen’s memories to everyone and slowly corrupting the world, it’s kind of funny.
And although I already knew there was going to be a time skip before the ending (from NU reviews), I thought the author would show how they were going to meet in another world and live happily ever after instead of that ‘we’re coming’ bs.
I’m feeling a little disappointed, but I hope you guys enjoyed this series.
Thank you for supporting this series by reading it!
Until next time!